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Washington County meal delivery program in need of volunteer drivers

Posted at 4:29 PM, May 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-25 19:20:09-04

A meal delivery program that feeds about 300 seniors daily across Washington County is badly in need of volunteers. 

Volunteers cook and package the meals at seven sites around the county. 

The program, which is run by the county's Aging and Disability Resource Center, relies on volunteers to drive meals out to home-bound seniors. 

Washington County residents who are home-bound and at least 60-years old are eligible to receive one meal a day. 

But the program, which is funded by a mix of tax dollars and voluntary donations from meal recipients, is currently short on volunteer delivery drivers, especially in Jackson and Hartford. 

Kristen Hosking, Elder Nutrition and Wellness Supervisor for the Aging and Disability Resource Center, said elderly drivers have begun to retire. 

She added summer weather also plays a role in the shortage. 

"We have regular volunteers who want to take vacation time," Hosking said. 

Hosking hopes volunteers will step up to fill once-a-week shifts of roughly two hours. 

Marilyn Schmidt, of Jackson, has been volunteering as a driver for seven years. 

Schmidt said she enjoys helping out with the program because she feels like she's doing good work. 

She added that, sometimes, she enjoys sitting and chatting with meal recipients. 

"A lot of people just want a little conversation, because I'm the only person they'll see all day," Schmidt added. 

People wanting to volunteer as drivers can visit the Aging and Disability Resource Center's website here or call 262-335-4497.